Shadrack Sibiya Wants To Cross-Examine Mkhwanazi: ‘My Reputation Will Be Unjustly Damaged’

Suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya has formally requested permission to cross-examine National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola and KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

Sibiya, who was suspended earlier this year amid allegations of collusion and corruption, argues that his “professional and public reputation will be unjustly damaged” if he is not allowed to confront his accusers.

Allegations of Collusion and Corruption

The controversy stems from a 6 July media briefing, where Mkhwanazi accused Sibiya of working with Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to dissolve the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) in KwaZulu-Natal — a move allegedly aimed at protecting organised crime groups.

Following the allegations, Masemola suspended Sibiya, who had initially been placed on leave of absence pending an internal disciplinary hearing.

Sibiya’s Centurion home was later raided by law enforcement, with electronic devices seized as part of ongoing investigations.

Matlala Connection and Evidence at the Commission

Testimonies at the Madlanga Commission have linked Sibiya to alleged cartel boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, with claims that Matlala made large cash payments to Sibiya, including R300,000 for his son’s wedding and R2 million for a plot of land.

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Audio recordings played at the inquiry reportedly feature Matlala admitting to these payments during an interview with police in May.

However, Sibiya vehemently denies any friendship or financial dealings with Matlala. In an affidavit dated 10 October, he accused Masemola of misleading the public and insisted that the allegations were designed to tarnish his name.

Shadrack Sibiya’s Bid to Cross-Examine Masemola and Mkhwanazi

Sibiya is seeking permission to cross-examine Masemola regarding his testimony about the 121 dockets handled by the PKTT, as well as to question Mkhwanazi on the authenticity of WhatsApp messages allegedly linking Sibiya, Mchunu, and North West businessman Brown Mogotsi to Matlala.

These messages were reportedly retrieved from Matlala’s phone while he was in custody. Sibiya has already challenged their authenticity before Parliament’s ad hoc committee last month.

Sibiya’s policing career spans decades. He once served as head of the Hawks in Gauteng before being dismissed in 2015 over the illegal rendition of Zimbabwean nationals — a decision later overturned by the Labour Court in 2022, paving the way for his return to SAPS.

In 2019, he led the City of Johannesburg’s anti-corruption unit, where he again faced corruption allegations involving R3.5 million in unlawful gratification and R580,000 in irregular expenditure — claims he denied.

He was promoted to Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection in July 2023, before being suspended earlier this year.

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